Elections 2016: Waking up to change

It’s way past a decent bedtime. But sleep is the last thing on the minds of the scores of people still gathered at the results operation centre of the IEC in Tshwane. It’s the nerve center of the local government elections – a meeting point of sorts, at a very important time. History in the making. 

For the past few hours on the main floor - politicians, the media and officials have been intensely watching the colourful results boards. As the updates stream in we watch the faces of those most affected – the party officials. You read excitement, disappointment and see a couple of frowns. Lots of conversations are happening in hushed tones. One party official passes, phone in hand, clearly excited, perhaps at the way his party is performing. He listens to the voice on the other side, nods in agreement perhaps and says – “Well I bet they never thought the day would come that they’d have to consider working with us!”. Mmmm coalition politics? Of course. 

It’s been interesting to observe the various parties’ respond to that very possibility before the poll. Of course going at it alone, and garnering enough support to do just that is ideal. But if push comes to shove, and let’s face it – here we are - this scenario will have to be entertained. 

The EFF has categorically stated that it will not enter into any coalition with the ANC. This of course being the EFF’s first showing in local government elections. As things stand, the party is emerging as a possible kingmaker – especially in hotly contested areas - the DA has already claimed the Nelson Mandela Bay metro, much to the dismay of some other party leaders on the floor. Obviously. But not at all too much of a surprise. And now, as the end is in sight, those who, days and weeks before the elections spoke confidently about the fact that coalitions aren’t likely to be a possibility they’d like to entertain will have to slowly get used to the idea. So as things stand – get ready for some interesting politicking of a very different kind.

The Johannesburg and Tshwane metros are just too close to call at this stage. Here’s hoping that by the time you read this – a definite picture has emerged. 

As we wait, here are some election truths – the ANC is not walking away from these polls unscathed. People have made their intentions very clear when it comes to the issues that matter to them. In some areas, the ruling party has been severely punished. In the Western Cape, a runaway victory seems all but certain. The electorate is clearly saying that it hasn’t been happy with all spheres of service delivery from the governing party – and it’s vast control over areas. 

It’s perhaps the wake up call that the ANC needs because now - so much more is at stake until the national poll in 2019. The warning signs were there, and were perhaps ignored. In the Tshwane metro for instance, violence took over, as people made it clear that they did not want Thoko Didiza as the mayoral candidate. In the absence of a party listening, the ballot remained. 

It’s one thing to be unseated in councils and metros. A bitter couple of pills to swallow perhaps. But it’s quite another, to be unseated as the ruling party.